
Reducing Maternal and Infant Health Disparities
Creating better service, practice and outcomes for healthy Black moms and babies
In America, Black women are 3-4 times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women. The U.S. has the highest maternal and infant mortality rate among comparable countries.
How wayside is addressing maternal health disparities
Wayside Recovery Center understands that the maternal and infant mortality crisis cannot be adequately addressed without understanding and dismantling racism and bias in our medical and behavioral health systems. We also understand that the complexities of the crisis require community-based responses. This means not only addressing the stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illness, but also recognizing the inequalities that persist across the behavioral health system.
We owe it to the women and families we serve to play an active role in addressing healthcare gaps.
With support from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Wayside is hosting a free public education Project ECHO series that focuses on fostering collaboration between patients, community and health practitioners to deliver high-quality care to Black mothers, infants and their families.
To receive regular invites about future events in this series, sign up online.
Moving Maternal Health Forward: Virtual Workshop May 10 & 11


Questions? Contact Nicole.Fernandez@waysiderc.org for more information and to receive registration updates.
Register for Upcoming Events
All sessions are scheduled for 12-1 p.m. CST.
*CME available
**CEU available
Wednesday, February 8, 12-1 p.m.
Integrating Reproductive Justice within Maternal Mental Health
Ana'Neicia Williams, LCSW, PMH-C, Clinical Therapist and Founder of Momology Maternal Wellness Club
Register Now
Explore how reproductive rights are essential in therapeutic care and be guided through utilizing reproductive tenants to combat barriers impacting contraception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
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Wednesday, February 15, 12-1 p.m.
Improving Maternal Outcomes through Evidence Based Digital Community Spaces
Layo George, BSN, MHSA, Founder and Director of Wolomi
Register Now
Maternal Health Digital Platforms can be a great tool to integrate and offer by health systems, community health centers and insurance. Participants will learn how partnership with digital support tools can improve maternal health outcomes.
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Monday, February 27, 8 - 10 a.m. & Monday, March 13, 12-2 p.m.
Mentoring Maternal Infant Health Sessions with Dr. LaVonne Moore, DNP, CNM, IBCLC
Register for Session I, February 27 (morning) (limit 10 participants)
Register for Session II, March 13 (afternoon) (limit 10 participants)
In partnership with Wayside, Dr. LaVonne Moore will be hosting two repeating Zoom sessions for health professionals in a small setting to share best practices, resources, and discuss quality care improvements to reduce racial and ethnic disparities. This session will review Clinical Considerations to improve Black Maternal Health Outcomes. For more information please contact Nicole.Fernandez@waysiderc.org.
Watch Past Events
How Race-based Stress is Correlative to Maternal & Infant Mental Health for Culturally Marginalized Women and Children
with Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, PhD
Respect in Health Care: Human Right & Provider Obligation
with Leslie Farrington, MD
Polling Spotlight: Understanding the Experience of LGBTQ+ Birthing People
with Carla S. Alvarado, PhD. MPH
Maternal Infant Health - The (W)holistic Birth Experience
with Akilah Whitherspoon, BS, CPFSW, CD, (NBDA) CLC, LCCE
Maternal Infant Health - Partnering to Decrease Maternal Mortality
Dr. Corinne Brown Robinson, Dr. Domonique Jones and Rhonda Fellows
Leveraging Technology to Address Maternal Child Health Needs
Juliette Frazier, MPH
Providing Efficacious Communication of Pregnancy Loss and Reproductive Grief Care
Kathryn Grauerholz, MSN, MP, ACHPN, and Dr. Lauren Rubal, M.D. FACOG
Pregnancy After Loss Isn't Always Rainbows & Sunshine
Stephanie Crawford, M.Ed
Beyond the Birth: Patient-Centered Care in the Fourth Trimester
Ellen Jirik and Christian Minter
Helping Children Thrive: Addressing Health Disparities and Fostering Social-Emotional Development Among Youth in Foster Care
Katie J. Stone, PhD
Reproductive Grief Care: Comforting Those Who Mourn
Sara West, MS-PH, Certified Reproductive Grief Care Instructor
The Black Maternal Health Crisis and How Doulas Can Be a Part of the Solution
Tamara Mason, MPH, CHES
Catalyzing Racial Equity: Elevating Voices, Addressing Depression, Toxic Stress and Equity
Dr. Ebony Carter, Kelly McKay-Gist and Teneisha Parks
Culturally-Sensitive Perinatal Support During the Pandemic
Muna Bashir, MA-MCHS, CD (DONA), CCE (CAPPA)
Pregnancy, Food and Eating for Two
Dr. Sharan Rahman, MD, MBA, NCMP
Perinatal Substance Use & Reporting Laws
Dr. Cresta Jones, MD, FACOG
Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy: Beyond the Stigma to Evidence-Based Treatment
Amy E. Langenfeld, APRN, CNM, PMHNP-BC
Doulas Are So Much More
Shanika Clarke and Michelle Henderson
Fathers Are Not Born, They Are Made
Calvin Williams
Transgenerational Trauma
Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji
Fathers and Perinatal Health
Calvin Williams
Expecting and Parenting Youth: An Exploration of Needs and Value Systems
Tamara Moore
Racism & ACES
Sameerah Bilal-Roby
Got Chocolate Milk? The Role of Culture in Breastfeeding
Dr. LaVonne Moore
Black Babies Matter
Dr. Rachel Hardeman
Mommas' Reproductive Justice & Police Violence
Dr. Rachel Hardeman
Prenatal Exposure to Substance Use Disorder
Dr. Judith Eckerle
Infant Health & COVID-19
Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell
Black Providers, Better Outcomes
Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell
The Role of OBGYNS in Advancing Perinatal Justice & Accountability
Dr. Karen Scott
Historical Perspectives on Black Maternal Health Disparities
Ruth Richardson
Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis
Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones
Funded fully through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS). Nothing in these materials constitutes a direct or indirect endorsement by SAMHSA or the MN DHS of content, services, or policies.